Florida Democrats await candidates, cash

October 25, 2013|By Scott Powers and Aaron Deslatte, Orlando Sentinel

These should be heady days for Florida Democrats.

As they gather to talk, plan and party at their 2014 campaign kickoff in Orlando this weekend, they've got momentum from the debt-ceiling battle in Washington and a Republican governor with low poll numbers, experts say.

The problem is, they're still waiting on candidates — and money. Until this week, Democrats had no viable statewide candidates outside of former state Sen. Nan Rich of Weston, someone the party leadership has not embraced in her bid for governor.

Even Charlie Crist, the former Republican governor expected to jump into the governor's race as a Democrat next month, has stayed on the sidelines for now.

"When you look at party organization and infrastructure, it's pretty clear that the Florida Democratic Party is disorganized," said Republican Party Chairman Lenny Curry.

With the elections a year away, Florida Republicans boast all of the big-name candidates — well-known, well-funded incumbents in all four statewide offices — and almost all the campaign money.

The latest campaign-finance reports filed with the state show Republicans have $20 for every dollar the Democrats are reporting.

Republicans and their top candidates and key committees have a balance of more than $38.5 million and a steady flow of money coming in. Democrats have a reported balance of less than $1.8 million, just a little more than they were able to raise in July, August and September.

"The Democratic Party is starting off in a very big financial hole," said University of Central Florida political scientist Aubrey Jewett. "The question is: Can they at least raise enough money to be competitive?"

Democrats say they're poised to make up that ground now that candidates for statewide offices are starting to emerge.

"The Democrats are going to work their way back into a place of more relevance the same way the Republicans did, which is taking advantage of opportunities like this," said Democratic operative Steve Schale of Tallahassee.

This week two Democrats announced bids for statewide Cabinet positions, but both are just getting started against Republicans who've been quietly campaigning for money and support all year.

George Sheldon, a former legislator and state family-services secretary, announced he would challenge Attorney General Pam Bondi. Newcomer William Rankin, a retired Army veteran from Ohio and former Republican, jumped into the race against Chief Financial Officer Jeff Atwater.

Rankin, a political newcomer and former Republican, added, "There are 5 million Democrats in Florida. If every one of them just gave me $1, I'd have a very successful campaign."

Many expect Crist, the former Republican governor who became a Democrat early this year, to take on Gov. Rick Scott. Crist has remained coy, most recently saying, "Not yet" when asked when he would decide.

"I think you'll see a lot of money come in if [Crist] gets in," said Orlando lawyer John Morgan. "It's going to come from a lot of people who are pent up and who believe this gives the Democrats a chance to win."

Democrats say the opportunity they have with an unpopular incumbent governor and the backlash against the GOP brand over the federal-government shutdown should overcome their financial shortcomings.

"You look at the wonderful gift the tea party provided the state … then you look at where we are," said incoming House Minority Leader Mark Pafford, D-West Palm Beach. "Donors want to make sure we have a plan."